Nagpur: The counting of votes for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council began on Tuesday morning, with Congress candidate Abhijit Wanjari leading Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sudhakar Kohale in the postal ballot count.
Of the 238 postal ballot papers received, 34 were declared invalid, leaving 204 valid ballots. In the counting of valid postal votes, Wanjari secured 101 votes, while Kohale received 86. Other candidates collectively secured 22 votes, according to the figures available from the counting process.
The postal ballot figures placed Wanjari ahead by 15 votes in this category. The early lead generated enthusiasm among Congress leaders and workers, although the final outcome will depend on the counting of the remaining ballots.
A total of 38 candidates are contesting the election, which is being closely watched by political parties in the Nagpur division.
Counting underway at Mankapur centre
The counting process commenced at 8 am at the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur, where 84 tables have been arranged for the exercise.
Officials began by separating postal ballot papers and examining their validity. Ballots lacking the required declaration, those found torn and those considered suspicious were placed in separate boxes for further scrutiny.
With 38 candidates in the fray, separate boxes have been arranged for each candidate, along with an additional box for suspicious ballot papers, taking the total to 39.
Each table is expected to handle approximately 1,000 ballot papers at a time. The initial exercise involves sorting and organising the ballots before the formal counting of first-preference votes.
Officials indicated that the actual counting was expected to begin around 2 pm, following completion of the preliminary arrangements.
Preferential voting system to determine winner
The Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency election follows a preferential voting system. The first-preference votes will be counted initially, after which the total number of valid votes will be established and the quota required for election determined.
If a candidate reaches the prescribed quota through first-preference votes, the result can be decided without proceeding to subsequent preferences. If no candidate reaches the required quota, further counting will be conducted according to the applicable preferential voting rules.
Party workers at the counting centre expressed hope that the result would be decided on first-preference votes. The final determination, however, rests with the official counting process.
More than 1.65 lakh graduates cast votes
The constituency had 2,55,603 registered voters, of whom 1,65,672 exercised their franchise.
District-wise polling figures were as follows:
• Chandrapur: 73.05%
• Gadchiroli: 72.95%
• Gondia: 71.29%
• Wardha: 68.35%
• Bhandara: 67.07%
• Nagpur: 60.35%
Chandrapur recorded the highest turnout at 73.05%, while Nagpur district registered the lowest at 60.35%.
With counting progressing through the prescribed stages, attention remains focused on the first-preference tally and whether any candidate will reach the required quota. The postal ballot figures provide an initial indication of the contest, but the final result will be declared only after the complete counting and verification process is concluded.
